Departure Festival + Conference To Recognize Music Manager Bruce Allen, The Remix Project At Departure Honors

The latest content and programming updates for the Departure Festival + Conference in Toronto May 4-10 include Departure Honors recognitions for music manager Bruce Allen, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, and mentorship organization The Remix Project receiving the Industry Achievement Award.

Allen, known for his work with iconic Canadian artists including Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Bryan Adams, Michael Bublé and Loverboy, will receive the award during the Departure Honours on Thursday, May 7, at Koerner Hall. The exclusive, star-studded celebration recognizing individuals who have shaped Canada’s cultural landscape, according to the announcement. The night will also feature a live performance by JUNO-nominated artist Katie Tupper.

Continuing and evolving from its beginnings as the long-running Canadian Music Week, the multi-discipline Departure Conference aims to together the most influential voices in music, film, TV and media in Canada.

Highlights this year are to include the minds behind the soundtrack of racy hockey sensation “Heated Rivalry,” with Departure Honours 2026 recipient Jacob Tierney, the show’s creator, writer, director and executive producer, alongside acclaimed composer Peter Peter and award-winning music supervisor Scotty Taylor in a special panel discussion.

Additional speakers include leading music industry commentator Bob Lefsetz; Jermaine and Trevaunn Richards, creators of Crave’s The Office Movers; Rêve, the breakout pop-EDM artist behind the 2023 hit “Ctrl + Alt + Del”; Jus Reign, star of Crave’s Late Bloomer; and Toronto-based choreographer and television personality Hollywood Jade, known for his work on Canada’s Drag Race. 

Meanwhile, additions to the Departure conference schedule include Trevaunn and Jermaine Richards from Crave’s The Office Movers and a panel with the creative team behind the Heated Rivalry soundtrack: show creator Jacob Tierney, composer Peter Peter, and music supervisor Scotty Taylor, a live taping of The Jann Arden Podcast and more! 

Film highlights include the Canadian Premiere of Power Ballad and Q&A screenings with Soca King Machel Montano and Bif Naked for their latest documentaries 

“Departure continues to grow as a meeting place for creators and cultural leaders across disciplines,” said Kevin Barton, Executive Producer at Departure Festival + Conference. “These latest additions reflect the range of voices and perspectives shaping today’s creative industries, from global music and film to cultural organizations making an impact in communities.” 

Departure Festival + Conference is produced by Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group, which is Pollstar‘s parent company.

Departure’s film programming this year expands with special screenings, including the Canadian premiere of Power Ballad, the latest from acclaimed filmmaker John Carney, starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas and presented courtesy of Cineplex Pictures; a special screening of Like Ah Boss: Journey of a Soca King exploring the life, music, and global impact of Machel Montano followed by a Q&A with Machel; and a screening of Bif Naked: The Documentary, a look back at the extraordinary life and career of the Canadian pop-punk pioneer followed by a Q&A and live performance. 

Additional artist announcements, conference programming, and special events are promised in the coming weeks

For a full list of conference speakers, showcase artists, tickets, passes and more information, visit departureto.com.